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2008 Marc Tempé Zellenberg Pinot Blanc (Previously $25)

SKU #1089314
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Tempe 2008 Pinot Blanc Zellenberg (around one-third Auxerrois) is prominently scented and juicily flavored with musk melon and yellow plum, tinged with green herbs, and toasted nuts. An invigoratingly tart edge of fresh fruit skin offers welcome counterpoint to creaminess of texture and an almost opulent sense of ripeness one doesn’t expect from this vintage. This finishes with admirable persistence and ought to be delightful over the next several years.

K&L Notes

What makes a good winemaker is someone who knows their land, and who knows how to gently coax the best out of that land. Biodynamic grower and winemaker Marc Tempé is that kind of winemaker. The most important thing to him is to make good wines that reflect the land from which they came. He doesn't chaptalize or acidify or innoculate or fine. They are made in either old foudre or older Burgundy barrels, and all the wines rest sur lie for at least 24 months. The resulting wines, like this one from Zellenberg, are incredibly pure. The fruit comes from nine different parcels on the slopes of Zelleberg's hills from vines that average about 50 years of age. There's about 35% Auxerrois in the blend, which is adds body and spice to the higher toned Pinot Blanc.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Pinot Blanc

- Also known as Pinot Bianco in Italy and Weissburgunder in Germany and Austria, Pinot Blanc is thought to be a mutation of Pinot Gris (which is said to be a lighter mutation of Pinot Noir). While the varietal's roots are Burgundian (it was frequently confused with Chardonnay throughout history) it is rare there these days, instead finding its best iterations in France's Alsace, Germany's Pfalz and Baden, Austria's Wachau and in Italy's Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli and Lombardy winegrowing regions. It produces full-bodied whites with relatively high acidity, yeasty citrus and appley aromas and flavors and hints of spice. Aged Pinot Blancs take on lovely honeyed tones.

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.

Sub-Region:

Alsace

- A region and appellation in France that has been a part of both France and Germany throughout history. Geologically isolated from both countries, Alsace has also maintained much of its own culture and wine tradition, while also being influenced by the traditions of both countries. Alsatian wine is easily recognized by it traditional tall bottles. Alsatian wine makers produce a unique style of varietal wine, 90 percent of which is white.